Hospital responds to citation that said staff took photos of patient's genitals

by Ron Musselman, WJAC

UMPC Bedford Memorial Hospital responded Thursday morning to a Pennsylvania Department of Health citation that said staff members at the medical center took cellphone photos and videos of a patient being treated for a "foreign body" lodged in their genitals in December. (WJAC)

EVERETT, Penn. – UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital responded Thursday morning to a Pennsylvania Department of Health citation that said staff members at the medical center took cellphone photos and videos of a patient being treated for a "foreign body" lodged in their genitals in December.

The hospital network self-reported the violations.

“UPMC is committed to ensuring that our patients’ health information remains confidential,” Patt Keith of UMPC Media Relations said in a statement. "The behavior reported in this case is abhorrent and violates the mission of UPMC Bedford and the overall values of UPMC.

"Upon discovery, UPMC quickly self-reported the incident to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and took appropriate disciplinary action with the individuals involved. The Department of Health has approved our plan of correction.

”We have also alerted the affected patient. Since this is an ongoing investigation, we are not at liberty to comment further at this time.”

The health department said in its 119-page report that the hospital suspended one doctor for seven days, another for 28 days and is replacing the hospitals nursing director for surgical services.